The Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing benefits to its members through a variety of programs. As YOUR Chamber, we are always willing to work individually with your business to ensure it receives the maximum value in return for its membership investment.

Questions? Additional information about utilizing the member benefits can be obtained by contacting Michelle Burdick, the vice president of membership, at michelleburdick@tds.net or by calling (850) 627-9231.

Join today online or by downloading an application.

Adding Value to Your Membership

Communications
The Chamber Chatter is an electronic newsletter distributed once a month to nearly 1,000 contacts within the Gadsden County area. It contains news and events submitted by the community, business leaders and Chamber members as well as information about member programs and events.

The Chamber website, www.gadsdenfla.com, promotes the positive attributes that come with working, visiting or living in Gadsden County. Our goal is to create a resource that residents, business owners and visitors alike can browse to obtain community and business-oriented information.

Not only is the Chamber's newest publication, Gadsden County, Florida: Community Guide, designed to entice tourists to come and visit, it reminds current residents about the treasures of Gadsden County that they can take advantage of year-round. Email gadsdencc@tds.net to obtain a free copy of the community guide.

Through a special partnership with local newspapers, the Chamber is pleased to present a monthly Chamber Page. This page is printed on the last Thursday of each month in The Gadsden County Times and The Havana Herald. It contains information about the Chamber, its members, benefits, programs and events.

Relationships
Gadsden County businesses have entered a time period that will be the most challenging that many have ever experienced. In spite of the economic crisis, we are poised to continue our growth however we may be faced with roadblocks to overcome before we succeed.

It's time to work together. Business owners and community leaders must step to the forefront and work together for the benefit of Gadsden County. The Chamber is always willing to lend a hand to refer regional and state economic development partners that have assisted us through the years. Their experience, not to mention connection to incentive programs, is the best resource to access.

Promotional Opportunities
Members receive a free web link and directory listing on www.gadsdenfla.com. In the future, members will be able to upgrade their listing to include their business logo. Many members will receive additional listings in other areas of www.gadsdenfla.com depending on the types of products and services they offer to the communities of Gadsden County.

Increase your exposure by sponsoring a Chamber event or networking program. Throughout the year we contact our members about affordable sponsorships. Additional advertising opportunities are announced periodically for media such as the Chamber's community guide and county map as well as statewide publications like Florida Monthly and the Florida Fishing and Boating Guide. Click here to review sponsorship and promotional opportunities.

In addition, members can offer special savings to fellow Chamber members and their employees. The Member to Member Discount Program allows valued Chamber members to submit discounts to attract more business to their location, increase revenue and enhance visibility among colleagues and potential customers. The goal is to create a promotional opportunity for members while giving participants the chance to save money on operational expenses.

The Chamber assists with plans for grand opening, ribbon cutting and ground-breaking ceremonies by inviting fellow Chamber members and the local media to attend as well as by providing a list of contacts the business owner may want to invite personally. Photo highlights are forwarded to the media and posted in the Chamber Chatter, Chamber Page and/or www.gadsdenfla.com.

Chamber members are encouraged to submit timely press releases, announcements and other informative articles or frequently asked questions to be printed in the Chamber Chatter, the Chamber Page, the online Resources, and/or the online Events Calendar. Members are also strongly encouraged to provide printed brochures to distribute and display at the Chamber office. For display purposes, brochure sizes are required to be no larger than four inches wide and eleven inches tall.

We understand business owners and non-profit organizations simply don't have the staff or time to attend every Chamber networking function. Members can increase their individual exposure by sponsoring a Chamber event in their area or request their own special after hours or open house event.

Members are encouraged to identify themselves as members of the Chamber. The Chamber provides window decals for this purpose. An electronic logo is available for placement on member websites and promotional materials including business cards, letterhead and brochures.

Throughout the year, the Chamber highlights members in the Member Spotlight featured in the Chamber Page and Chamber Chatter. These articles are designed to inform the area about the member business, the services they provide and their personal connection to the community.

Networking Opportunities
A variety of networking opportunities are available throughout the membership year. The monthly Go Gadsden membership meetings, bi-annual After Hours and special Speaker Series seminars are the most prevalent. In 2010, the Chamber plans to reintroduce the Annual Chamber Member Dinner and present the new Regional Chamber Dinner.

Initially created in 2007 as a leads group, Go Gadsden is a networking opportunity for Chamber members to educate fellow members and community and business leaders about their organization's products and services. Beginning January 2010, the leads group became a monthly membership meeting to enable more businesses to participate. The free meetings are open to all Chamber members and special invited guests.

Member businesses will be able to sign up at each meeting for a future opportunity to present their business/organization to other meeting participants on a first come, first served basis. The Chamber will select the presenting business based on the proposed topic as well as a first come, first served policy. Special guest speakers will also be scheduled from time to time to present topics of interest. RSVPs are required for each meeting. Go Gadsden meets on the last Wednesday, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. every month excluding on and/or near a holiday. Click here to view scheduled meetings, locations and topics.

Resources
The Chamber, jointly with the Florida A&M University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), offers free business counseling sessions to members and other business owners on the second Monday of each month at the Chamber; appointments are required. The FAMU SBDC also provides our members with popular "how to" business manuals for the Chamber library. Free workshops and one-on-one appointments are also available to assist new businesses get started and current businesses remain successful.

Together with FAMU SBDC and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Chamber helps promote ways our local business owners and managers can reserve projects for their own small businesses by participating in voluntary programs that enable small businesses to bid competitvely for contracts available through the State of Florida. The FAMU-FDOT Construction Management Development Program and Bond Guarantee Program (CMDP-BGP) offers opportunities for qualified minority and/or women-owned business to bid, win and successfully perform on statewide FDOT contracts. The FDOT's Business Development Initiative (BDI) presents opportunities and support for small businesses to advance into prime contractor and/or consultant roles. Both programs open the door for small business to access project information for all State of Florida offices and departments. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Chamber or Michael Taylor, the training coordinator for the FAMU SBDC CMDP-BGP Program, via email or by calling (850) 561-2040.

Throughout the year, the Chamber offers other educational workshops intended to assist business owners with changes in the economy and work environments as well as update them on the laws and requirements of protecting client personal data.

A complete membership list is available to Chamber members upon request. Members often use the list to contact their fellow members on a more personal level such as sending a special invitation to an open house or to announce a private sale to VIPs in the area.

Various Enterprise Zone information, business incentives, area statistical information and other search topics are listed in the Chamber's online Resources. Members can obtain more exposure for their business by providing the Chamber with frequently asked questions for their area of expertise. The Chamber will post the material online along with member's contact information.